Visual field testing via telemedicine

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for the performance and autointerpretation via the Internet, or other telemetric vehicle, of the visual function test parameters obtained during interactive visual field screening utilizing a local display screen. Such interactive testing and instantaneous autointerpretation of visual field performance utilizing a local display screen, via telemedicine, are utilized to screen for glaucoma and other neurological disorders affecting the visual system. Telemedicine, such as via the Internet, allows the system to be employed on a world-wide basis, including areas where physicians are not present.

We claim: 
     
       1. A visual field testing system comprising: a video display screen for viewing by a patient at a local site;   a computing means located at a site remote from said local site, said remote computing means being programmed to generate visual stimuli for presentation on said local display screen, to monitor a patient's responses to said visual stimuli, to provide real-time feedback to said responses, and to provide diagnostic information to a patient;   an automatically-trained expert system at said remote site connected to said remote computing means for receiving data on said responses from a patient, for instantaneously interpreting said responses, and for providing interpretation of said responses to said remote computing means; and   a data transmission system between said local and remote sites for transmitting data between said local display screen and said remote computing means.   
     
     
       2. A visual field testing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said local video display screen comprises a television screen. 
     
     
       3. A visual field testing system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a computing means at said local site, wherein: said local video display screen comprises a video monitor connected to said local computing means;   said remote computing means displays said visual stimuli on said video monitor via said local computing means;   said patient responses are transmitted to said remote computing means via said local computing means; and   said feedback and said diagnostic information are transmitted to a patient via said local computing means.   
     
     
       4. A visual field testing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said remote automatically-trained expert system comprises a neural network. 
     
     
       5. A visual field testing system as recited in claim 1, wherein said data transmission system between local and remote sites comprises the internet. 
     
     
       6. A visual field testing system comprising: a plurality of local computers including video monitors for viewing by patients at a plurality of testing sites;   a response means at each testing site for activation by a patient at said testing site;   a computer at a site remote from said testing sites, said remote computer being programmed to generate visual stimuli via said local computers for presentation on said video monitors, to monitor patients' responses to said visual stimuli, to provide real-time feedback to said responses, and to provide diagnostic information to patients;   a neural network at said remote site connected to said remote computer for receiving data on said responses from a patient, for instantaneously interpreting said responses, and for providing interpretation of said responses to said remote computer; and   a data transmission system between said local testing sites and said remote site for transmitting data between said local computers and said remote computer.   
     
     
       7. A visual field testing system as recited in claim 6, wherein said local response means comprises a switch for activating an electrical signal. 
     
     
       8. A method for performing visual field testing, said method comprising: providing a display screen for viewing by a patient at a local site, a response means for activation by a patient at said local site, a computer at a site remote from said local site, an autointerpretation system at said remote site, and a data transmission system between local and remote sites;   generating visual stimuli for presentation on said local display screen;   monitoring a patient's responses to said visual stimuli;   providing real-time feedback to said responses;   providing data on said responses to said remote autointerpretation system;   instantaneously interpreting said responses with said remote autointerpretation system;   providing interpretation of said responses to said remote computer; and   providing diagnostic information to a patient with said remote computer, via said data transmission system.   
     
     
       9. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein: said visual stimuli are generated by said remote computer for presentation on said local display screen, via said data transmission system;   said patient's responses to said visual stimuli are monitored with said remote computer, via said data transmission system; and   said real-time feedback to said responses is provided by said remote computer, via said data transmission system.   
     
     
       10. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein: said local display screen comprises a local computer with a video monitor;   said visual stimuli are generated by said remote computer for presentation on said local video monitor, via said local computer and said data transmission system;   said patient's responses to said visual stimuli are monitored with said remote computer, via said local computer and said data transmission system; and   said real-time feedback to said responses is provided by said remote computer, via said local computer and said data transmission system.   
     
     
       11. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein: said local display screen comprises a local computer with a video monitor;   said method further comprises downloading of software from said remote computer to said local computer;   said visual stimuli are generated by said local computer for presentation on said local video monitor;   said patient's responses to said visual stimuli are monitored with said local computer; and   said real-time feedback to said responses is provided by said local computer.   
     
     
       12. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein said generation of visual stimuli and said automatic interpretation of said responses implement flicker and temporal modulation perimetry strategies. 
     
     
       13. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein said generation of visual stimuli and said automatic interpretation of said responses implement color-on-color visual field strategies. 
     
     
       14. A method for performing visual field testing, as recited in claim 8, wherein said generation of visual stimuli and said automatic interpretation of said responses implement kinetic perimetry strategies.